Brigadier Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman
The peaceful tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir became the site of brutal violence on April 22, 2025, when terrorists launched a calculated attack targeting tourists and local civilians. The attackers employed a methodical approach, identifying male victims by religion through questioning, name verification, and demands to recite the “Kalma,” and physical examinations for “Sunnat” before executing them at point-blank range. This cold-blooded violence, which claimed multiple innocent lives, provoked immediate outrage across India and around the world.
Intelligence reports indicate the attack was strategically timed to coincide with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India and the finalization of major trade agreements with both the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Evidence suggests Pakistan carried out this operation under Chinese direction, with operatives connected to the terrorist network of Saifullah, who had been eliminated in Chatroo, Kishtwar just one week earlier. The apparent objective was to undermine India’s growing image as a stable global business hub and tourist destination. Vice President Vance’s presence in India marked a significant advancement in U.S.-India relations, highlighted by the announcement of a substantial $500 billion trade and strategic investment package. This agreement positions India as an essential supply chain partner for the United States. Rather than disrupting these diplomatic efforts, the attack ultimately strengthened counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing between the nations, with condolences and statements of solidarity coming from countries worldwide, including Islamic nations. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was negotiating a historic trade partnership with the UAE, encompassing investments in technology, infrastructure, and tourism with special focus on Jammu and Kashmir. This agreement underscores the UAE’s confidence in India’s stability and highlights Kashmir’s ongoing transformation into a center of economic opportunity and development. A defining economic shift of the 21st century involves the redirection of global supply chains from China to India, with both American and Emirati support accelerating this transition. India is increasingly viewed as a more stable, democratic, and economically viable alternative to China, directly threatening Beijing’s dominance in global manufacturing. Intelligence sources indicate that China covertly encouraged Pakistan to target tourists in Kashmir to portray the region as unsafe for business and investment, aiming to undermine India’s economic rise and cast doubt on the viability of investing in Kashmir. This strategy, however, backfired dramatically. Instead of creating perceptions of instability, the attack generated universal condemnation of terrorists widely acknowledged as being supported by Pakistan. The international community recognized the assault as part of Pakistan’s long-standing campaign against Indian interests, further isolating Islamabad diplomatically. The past five years have witnessed unprecedented tourism, economic revitalization, and social development in Kashmir. This prosperity serves as a powerful counter narrative to separatist ideologies, as increased employment, improved infrastructure, and expanded educational opportunities have integrated the local population more deeply with mainstream India. Pakistan views this integration as a direct threat to its carefully maintained narrative regarding Kashmir’s status and aspirations. The Pahalgam attack appears distinct from ongoing operations in the Jammu division, representing an isolated incident likely executed by remnants of defunct networks. This suggests a desperate attempt by terror handlers in Pakistan to maintain relevance in a changing landscape where their influence is steadily diminishing through economic and social development. India’s history of responses to provocations, from the Kargil War to the Balakot strikes, demonstrates its resolve when challenged. The nation now employs a doctrine of proactive deterrence against threats that extend beyond conventional warfare to include cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic sabotage. The Pahalgam incident represents one component of a broader hybrid warfare strategy targeting India’s digital and economic infrastructure. To counter these multifaceted threats, India must leverage global media, diaspora networks, and diplomatic forums to control the narrative surrounding Kashmir and terrorism. Promoting stories of resilience and progress from Kashmir can transform global perception toward optimism rather than fear. This moment presents an opportunity for India to lead a global coalition against terrorism by framing it as both an economic and social threat, generating support for collective action against state-sponsored extremism.
India’s approach must simultaneously enhance security, promote prosperity, and shape global narratives. The defence of Kashmir requires not just military strength but economic growth, national unity, and strategic vision. The Pahalgam attack targeted not only innocent lives but India’s future trajectory and emerging position in the global order, demanding a comprehensive and determined response that addresses both immediate security concerns and long-term strategic objectives in South Asia.
(The writer is Convenor International Institute of J&K Studies and Analysis Jammu)